Citizens living in nearby towns and villages of Zhangjiagang, Jiangsu province, can finish their yearly physical examination by themselves near home instead of traveling a long way to hospitals thanks to the establishment of personal physical examination service rooms last year.

A 77-year-old man surnamed Ji went to a room in Fenghuang town at 9 am on August 2. After registering with his ID card, Ji finished regular examinations for height, weight and blood pressure with the help of medical staff. He then got a physical condition report with examination results and health suggestions.

“It’s great to have the health room near home, and I feel like I have a family doctor,” said Ji. “I come to do physical examinations frequently to monitor my blood pressure and blood sugar level. It’s more convenient than going to a hospital.”

In the 50-square-meter room, several examination machines can be used. Health information is offered in the waiting area for people to read while they rest. Medical staff members are patient and teach visitors how to use the machines, explaining any data on the report that cannot be understood.

Xiao Shihui, a medical worker at the room, said it is free to get a physical examination if citizens bring their ID cards with them.

People also can check their examination results at home on a computer as all the data will be uploaded to their personal health record, said Zhu Shaodong, an official of Fenghuang town.

Zhangjiagang has spent more than 2.5 million yuan to build five such rooms in nearby towns and villages. Nearly 6,000 citizens have used the service. The rooms give citizens the ability to better manage their health.